A Birmingham data security firm is crunching all the right numbers following a major expansion, which has quadrupled production and created 10 jobs in the process.

With assistance from the Manufacturing Advisory Service West Midlands, Secure IT Disposal has invested more than £1.25 million to move to a 12,500 sq ft plant just miles from its former Digbeth premises.

Boss, Andrew Speedie, said the move involved installing a huge track to allow the firm to move to an automated transfer system.

"We bought the kit a few months ago but it was sitting in storage until we had space to install it. Now we have the room it is making all the difference. We are working much faster and more efficiently, although the more intricate work will still need to be done manually.

"As well as creating 10 extra jobs, the move and the new track line means we can increase our output from 150,000 items to 750,000 a year - which obviously has a big impact on turnover."

Turnover is currently just over £1 million a year.

Secure IT Disposals deals with data and can recycle the information-storing machines themselves.

A typical day can start at 5am for the firm's lorry drivers, who leave the depot to collect the order and bring it back for the technical team to work on.

Mr Speedie said: "Protecting information stored on computers and other machinery is becoming increasingly important and more and more companies realise that. Lost and unprotected data in many cases can mean the success or failure of a business.

"I started the business alone in 1996 and since then the company has evolved and expanded to the stage where we now have 34 employees."

The firm does not just deal with computers though and among the more surprising projects under way is an order to work on polygraph machines (lie detectors), as well as scanners and other hi-tech equipment.

Secure has contracts with local authorities, including Birmingham City Council, universities and the police.

MAS-WM adviser Martin McKeever said: "There were a few teething troubles which can often happen in large-scale relocations but once everything was in place, it became evident the company was better organised with essential new equipment, more staff and more space."

Meanwhile data communications firm Zircom is forging ahead after signing one of the biggest contracts in the company's history.

It has been taking on more people and recently relocated to new 4,000 sq ft premises in Bromsgrove.

Zircom managing director, Graham Granville, said: "Our turnover is already more than £8 million and it looks like we're going to hit £10 million figure this financial year."

He said there was "one or possibly two" more major contracts in the pipeline for the near future, which could provide further significant boosts to the company.

"What we tend to do is target preferred supplier agreements rather than try to go for every single tender that comes along.

"We give a menu for all our cabling services, setting out everything in detail for potential clients.

"This is something that customers like as it enables them to budget for new projects and gives a clear and concise indication of what they are getting for their money."

A team of 13 has moved into the new office and by the end of the year Zircom hopes to increase that by another 20.

Despite the prospect of a tough economic climate and a possible recession, Mr Granville suggests Zircom will grow by 20 per cent over the next 12 months.

Commenting on the move, he went on: "One hundred per cent business growth over the last three years has meant a related growth in support functions such as design, CAD, support services and order desk.

"We have also increased our health and safety and quality departments to reflect the importance of these areas to our customers.

"The move to these new state-of-the-art premises follows the success of Zircom in becoming one of the major players in the cabling industry.

"Our growth in sales and profits has outstripped our competitors and we feel that this is a major step towards a similar growth curve over the following years."

Established in 1992 Zircom provides high quality services in data, voice communication and fibre optic services and solutions.

Meanwhile data communications firm Zircom is forging ahead after signing one of the biggest contracts in the company's history.

It has been taking on more people and recently relocated to new 4,000 sq ft premises in Bromsgrove.

Zircom managing director, Graham Granville, said: "Our turnover is already more than £8 million and it looks like we're going to hit £10 million figure this financial year."

He said there was "one or possibly two" more major contracts in the pipeline for the near future, which could provide further significant boosts to the company.

"What we tend to do is target preferred supplier agreements rather than try to go for every single tender that comes along.

"We give a menu for all our cabling services, setting out everything in detail for potential clients.

"This is something that customers like as it enables them to budget for new projects and gives a clear and concise indication of what they are getting for their money."

A team of 13 has moved into the new office and by the end of the year Zircom hopes to increase that by another 20.

Despite the prospect of a tough economic climate and a possible recession, Mr Granville suggests Zircom will grow by 20 per cent over the next 12 months.

Commenting on the move, he went on: "One hundred per cent business growth over the last three years has meant a related growth in support functions such as design, CAD, support services and order desk.

"We have also increased our health and safety and quality departments to reflect the importance of these areas to our customers.

"The move to these new state-of-the-art premises follows the success of Zircom in becoming one of the major players in the cabling industry.

"Our growth in sales and profits has outstripped our competitors and we feel that this is a major step towards a similar growth curve over the following years."

Established in 1992 Zircom provides high quality services in data, voice communication and fibre optic services and solutions.